Night fell.
The stars above Britain shone brilliantly.
"The stars tonight are so beautiful—"
Artoria looked up at the sky as she spoke.
After pulling out the golden sword, Caliburn, she had effectively become Britain's rightful heir.
But since it was her first day, there weren't any complicated duties yet.
"Ian, what do you think?"
"Yeah, it's really pretty."
The boy looked at the sky and nodded.
"But it's a shame I can't smell it."
"Why do you describe everything in terms of smell…"
Artoria grumbled.
"Was it because of the smell again today?"
She hadn't even finished speaking when Ian turned to look directly at her.
That was a direct gaze—one that clearly said:
"Why did you stop me?"
Of course, Artoria couldn't miss Ian's intention, especially given how straightforward he always was.
She quickly explained herself.
"Ian, I know. Camelot… has many things that probably don't sit right with you."
"But still, things like what happened today… it's better not to go that far."
"That magician, Merlin… I don't like him either. But doing what you did today—"
The memory of Ian hitting Merlin replayed in her mind.
"It makes people misunderstand you. They might see you as someone dangerous."
"But I know that's not true. You're… actually very kind."
"I hope you understand what I mean," she said gently.
Though she had drawn the legendary sword Caliburn and officially become Britain's heir, Artoria still held onto her personal feelings. Ian mattered to her. So even if she wanted to protect him, she knew she couldn't just let everything slide.
This was her way of finding balance—publicly standing up for him, and privately speaking from the heart.
Ian finally spoke.
"That guy… he smelled like the one in my dream."
"Eh?" Artoria blinked in surprise.
But she soon realized what he meant. They had only shared one dream—the dream that called them both to draw the sword.
"You mean… the hand that appeared in the dream?"
"That was Merlin?"
Ian nodded.
"Yeah. That's why I couldn't hold back."
A hint of unease crossed his face.
"Did I mess up?"
Now it was Artoria's turn to fall silent.
She had assumed he was just upset with Merlin's behavior, the same way she had been. But clearly, it ran much deeper than that. If Merlin really was the one who misled them in that mysterious dream… then Ian had been acting to protect her all along.
No wonder no one could stop him.
He hadn't been throwing a tantrum—he was being serious.
Feeling embarrassed for misjudging him, Artoria's thoughts spiraled.
But Ian misunderstood her silence.
He gently pulled her into a hug and whispered,
"Sorry. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to do that."
"Forgive me, Artoria. I won't act like that again."
The warmth of his embrace only made her feel guiltier.
"Ian… if that's the case, aren't you afraid people will really see you as dangerous?"
"I didn't think about that," he said honestly.
"I just couldn't ignore it when it came to you."
Artoria's heart skipped a beat.
She felt warmth blooming in her chest, but also guilt. How was she supposed to respond to that kind of honesty?
After a long pause, she looked up, shy but sincere.
"Today must've worn you out."
"You must be thirsty… right?"
"…Do you want...that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Under the moonlight, she slid one side of her cloak off her shoulder.
She didn't know why this strange idea popped into her head, or why she felt so natural about offering it—it was clearly embarrassing. But part of her wanted to ease the guilt in her heart, to give him comfort in return.
It was such an utterly shameful thing.
Letting a member of the opposite sex make smacking sounds, and then biting and gnawing...
But at this moment, Artoria hoped he would agree, so that her guilt could be a little lighter.
And she would have the courage to explain
things clearly later.
However—
Artoria saw the last thing she wanted to see.
Ian shook his head.
"Not today," he said calmly.
"Huh?" Artoria was flustered.
"Don't you like that the most?"
Artoria pulled down the clothes on her shoulder even further.
She knew that if she didn't deal with this now, she'd probably be sleepless all night.
But speaking of which...
Did this count as seduction?
Ian leaned in and whispered something that made her face burn hotter.
"Because today… I wanted to try this instead"
Listening to Ian's earnest yet absurd suggestion, Artoria's face immediately flushed several shades darker.
If her head could be opened, she felt steam would surely be sizzling inside.
"You want to eat in a different place?"
"Yes," Ian nodded.
"Then why does it have to be—" Artoria glanced between her legs.
"That place..."
Ian answered honestly,
"Because everything about you smells wonderful, Artoria. But, that place before, and this place now, smell the best."
"Very fragrant, It must be very tasty."
"It smells sweet… I think it'll taste amazing."
She stared at him, speechless.
It wasn't that he was being a pervert—he just truly saw the world through "scent." To him, this was all perfectly logical.
Feeling his genuine expectation, Artoria hesitated—but eventually relented.
After all, today… she had been unfair to him.
"…Okay. Come here," she said softly.
She pulled her cloak back over her shoulder and reached for the belt at her waist.
Never in her dreams had she imagined such a moment would come—but here they were.
The moonlight shone like silver across her pale skin, blending with the vast starlit sky.
"Just… be quiet, okay? Don't let anyone notice."
Ian leaned closer.
"It really does smell sweet…"
"W-Wait—slow down!" she stammered.
"…Why don't you have that thing?" he asked.
"What thing?" She replied.
"You know… that thing you told me not to point at you before."
"Oh. That depends on luck! Not everyone is born with one like yours," Artoria said, suddenly realizing how absurd she sounded.
And yet, Ian didn't question her at all. He just looked at her with complete belief.
Her heart was pounding.
"…Hey Ian," she asked.
"Do you really not like girls?"
"Huh?"
Ian looked up.
"Girls?"
"Forget it, it's nothing."